Plant Not Plastic: Cotton at the Heart of the Microplastic Solution

The National Cotton Council (NCC) is putting cotton front and center in the fight against microplastic pollution with its new Plant Not Plastic campaign. A recent NCC survey revealed a major knowledge gap: only 33% of consumers said they were “very aware” of microplastic pollution, and just 42% of those connected the problem to clothing. Many still think water bottles are the main source, even though synthetic fibers like polyester are the biggest contributors.

That’s where cotton growers come in. The Plant Not Plastic campaign is designed to remind consumers that natural fibers—like the cotton grown across Georgia, Florida, and Alabama—don’t shed harmful microplastics. “Choosing clothing made from natural fibers like cotton is an easy, effective way to reduce your personal contribution,” said Marjory Walker, NCC Vice President of Council Operations.

With 63% of consumers already recognizing cotton as a fiber that doesn’t pollute, the Council says this effort is about turning awareness into action and reinforcing the vital role U.S. cotton plays in healthier people, land, and water.